Hetherington has been a district judge in Cleveland County since 1992. Henry says Hetherington has the intellect, integrity and temperament to be an ideal judge for the Court of Civil Appeals.

Henry chose the 62-year-old Norman resident from among three candidates whose names were submitted by the Judicial Nominating Commission.

Hetherington graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1970 and earned his law degree from Oklahoma City University in 1979. Aside from his work as a district judge, Hetherington has served as a special district judge and was in private practice.